Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many newly retired members of the civil service pension scheme did not receive payments a) one week, b) two weeks, 3) one month, 4) two months, 5) three months and 6) six months after their first payment was due.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government.

The issues and delays facing a number of civil servants and pension scheme members in receiving their pension quotes are unacceptable. I want to reassure you that this Government has taken firm action to help put things right as soon as possible. We have agreed a clear recovery plan with Capita, which includes specific milestones and accountability targets for delivery. For priority cases, we have deployed additional resources and improved communication with affected colleagues, so that staff, both former and serving, receive the quality of service and support they deserve.

Existing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have been enhanced and strengthened to deliver improved performance and higher penalties for failure, including financial penalties. These have already applied in respect to Capita's performance with recent issues and delays in administering the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

Capita prioritised the most urgent cases and by the end of February, all death in service cases were either settled or progressed to the final stage or awaiting a member response. The same position was reached for ill health retirement applications by mid-March.

Capita has made lump sum payments to 8,747 members, the majority of whom have retired but are not yet receiving their pension, and are on track to bring these members into regular pension payments by the end of April.

To provide immediate financial support to those who may need it, arrangements are in place for interest-free bridging loans typically up to £5,000 or £10,000 in exceptional cases to most recent retirees facing payment delays. This is alongside interim lump sum payments being made to provide immediate funds to retiring members. The pension scheme continues to make monthly pension payments to approximately 730,000 existing pensioner members on time.

The latest position of the Civil Service Pension Recovery Plan Update is available at this weblink: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-updates

However, the level of detail requested in respect of specific payment delays (PQ 110109) and quote delays (PQ 110110) is not available from either Capita or the former administrator, MyCSP.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many members of the civil service pension scheme had not received quotes as to their expected pension income a) 12 months before retirement, b) six months before retirement, c) 3 months before retirement , d) one month before retirement and e) date of retirement.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government.

The issues and delays facing a number of civil servants and pension scheme members in receiving their pension quotes are unacceptable. I want to reassure you that this Government has taken firm action to help put things right as soon as possible. We have agreed a clear recovery plan with Capita, which includes specific milestones and accountability targets for delivery. For priority cases, we have deployed additional resources and improved communication with affected colleagues, so that staff, both former and serving, receive the quality of service and support they deserve.

Existing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have been enhanced and strengthened to deliver improved performance and higher penalties for failure, including financial penalties. These have already applied in respect to Capita's performance with recent issues and delays in administering the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

Capita prioritised the most urgent cases and by the end of February, all death in service cases were either settled or progressed to the final stage or awaiting a member response. The same position was reached for ill health retirement applications by mid-March.

Capita has made lump sum payments to 8,747 members, the majority of whom have retired but are not yet receiving their pension, and are on track to bring these members into regular pension payments by the end of April.

To provide immediate financial support to those who may need it, arrangements are in place for interest-free bridging loans typically up to £5,000 or £10,000 in exceptional cases to most recent retirees facing payment delays. This is alongside interim lump sum payments being made to provide immediate funds to retiring members. The pension scheme continues to make monthly pension payments to approximately 730,000 existing pensioner members on time.

The latest position of the Civil Service Pension Recovery Plan Update is available at this weblink: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-updates

However, the level of detail requested in respect of specific payment delays (PQ 110109) and quote delays (PQ 110110) is not available from either Capita or the former administrator, MyCSP.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the impact of the proposed amendments to the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations on the ability of voluntary mountain rescue teams to provide rescue cover at temporary sporting and cultural events.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the funding required to restore plantations on ancient woodland sites on the Public Forest Estate.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Restoration of plantations on ancient woodland sites on the Public Forest Estate, historically funded through Forestry England’s core budget, is being accelerated by targeted funding from Defra. The impact of this £5.9 million targeted Defra funding for 2026-2029 is being closely monitored through the pace and outcomes of restoration, with a headline target to work towards doubling the recent rate of restoration.

There is no single estimate of the funding required to restore all plantations on ancient woodland sites on the Public Forest Estate because restoration costs vary significantly between sites and cannot be reliably expressed as a single figure. In some cases, restoration can be achieved at little or no net cost where timber sales offset costs. In other cases, costs remain uncertain, with some sites requiring multiple or ongoing interventions and with slower progress towards ecological goals.

Additionally, many costs associated with PAWS (plantations on ancient woodland sites) restoration, such as infrastructure improvements, staff training, and forest planning, support wider forest management and cannot be attributed solely to individual sites or hectares.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the potential impact of renewed legacy investigations and prosecutions on (a) morale, (b) recruitment and (c) retention in the armed forces.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Secretary of State regularly meets with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to discuss a range of issues, including recruitment into the Armed Forces.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions and business rates on the viability of pubs, restaurants and hospitality venues in towns such as Stockton, Thornaby and Yarm.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

I refer you to my previous answer to PQ UIN 125056.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the increase in employer National Insurance contributions on jobs in the hospitality sector.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

I refer you to my previous answer to PQ UIN 125056.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support the pig industry transition from carbon dioxide stunning to higher welfare alternatives.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

As set out in this Government’s animal welfare strategy, Defra will consult on banning carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs and on possible timescales for phasing out this method. Further details will be set out later this year.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department has made on appointing a National Specialty Lead for Rare Cancers as required by the Rare Cancers Act 2026.

Answered by Preet Kaur Gill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government will implement the Rare Cancers Act 2026 by ensuring that a National Specialty Lead for Rare Cancers is appointed by summer 2026. The National Specialty Lead will be based in the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s Research Delivery Network and will support research delivery for rare cancers research.

Implementing the Rare Cancers Act 2026 will make it easier for clinical trials on rare cancers to be delivered in England.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with hospitality businesses on the potential impact of employment costs on closures, opening hours and jobs.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government recognises the vital contribution of the hospitality sector to the UK, supporting local employment, sustaining high streets and communities, and playing an important role in our cultural and social fabric.

We work closely with the Hospitality Sector Council to improve the productivity and resilience of hospitality businesses by co-creating solutions to the issues impacting business performance, through thematic working groups, which includes business resilience, innovation, jobs and skills and sustainability.

The Government is undertaking an extensive programme of engagement around implementation of the Employment Rights Act and broader Plan to Make Work Pay. This has been underpinned by a strong commitment to working in partnership with businesses and trade unions to ensure policy is firmly fair and practical for the economy.

Found: Blackman, in the Chair Jess Brown-Fuller Jonathan Davies Mary Glindon Alison Hume Will Stone Matt Vickers